Musculoskeletal disorders in farmers and farm workers
Abstract
Farming is a physically arduous occupation and this places farm workers at potential risk of musculoskeletal disorders such as osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip and knee, low back pain (LBP), neck and upper limb complaints, and hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS). This review considers the epidemiological evidence concerning such risks. The strongest evidence relates to OA of the hip, for which the public health impact is likely to be considerable. There is also weaker, but suggestive evidence that farmers more often have knee OA and LBP than workers in occupations with fewer physical demands. Tractor drivers, in particular, seem to have more LBP. Relatively little information exists on the risks of soft tissue rheumatism in the limbs and neck. For some outcomes, the link with occupational risk factors (such as heavy loading of joints and whole-body vibration) is sufficient to suggest the course that future prevention should take, but for several outcomes more research is first needed.
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High levels of musculoskeletal symptoms were reported in farming populations in Europe and beyond, and specifically in Germany.
“Overall, high levels of musculoskeletal symptoms were reported in farming populations in Europe and beyond [13,14,15], but also specifically in Germany [16,17].”
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- Authors
- Walker-Bone, K.
- Affiliations
- University of Southampton (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Walker-Bone, K.
- ORCID
- Walker-Bone, K.
- Venue
- Occupational Medicine
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press (OUP)
- Published
- 2002-12-01
- Volume
- 52
- Issue
- 8
- Pages
- 441-450
- ISSN
- 0962-7480 (ISSN-L)
- 1471-8405
- OpenAlex
- W2129803331
- Cited by
- 280
- References
- 68
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 16 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 15 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 15 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 20 · 2015: 13 · 2014: 17 · 2013: 17 · 2012: 20
- FWCI
- 4.21
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Occupational Medicine (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- ePrints Soton (University of Southampton) (submittedVersion)
- HighWire Press Open Archive (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Agriculture and Farm Safety
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Occupational Therapy › Occupational Health and Safety in Workplaces
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Ergonomics and Musculoskeletal Disorders
- Keywords
- musculoskeletal disorders, farmers, farm workers, osteoarthritis, hip osteoarthritis, knee osteoarthritis, low back pain, neck pain, hand-arm vibration syndrome, tractor drivers, whole-body vibration, occupational risk factors, occupational health
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Agricultural Workers' Diseases, Arm Injuries, Arthritis, Rheumatoid, Female, Fibromyalgia, Hand Injuries, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Musculoskeletal Diseases, Surveys and Questionnaires, Risk Factors, Vibration, Osteoarthritis, Hip, Occupational Health, Low Back Pain, Osteoarthritis, Knee
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